Some people are drawn to bright lights, loud music, and a lot of stimulation; others stay away.
Deanna Dee calls herself a weirdo. She acknowledged the “weird” way her brain functions by choosing the DJ name Weeurd.
She claimed that she doesn’t frequently encounter individuals who are similar to her as a neurodivergent, queer DJ with vibrant hair. That is, until dusk falls, when she frequently appears in the booth at various Ottawa dance nights.
“I never felt like I belonged anywhere as a child. I still have that experience now. However, I think I fit in better at a dubstep show because everyone is so unique,” she said.
Dee received an ADHD diagnosis almost two years ago. She started to worry earlier this year that she might also be autism spectrum.
Dee notes that because of their stark differences, the dance club’s stimulation may be a little disorienting.
At times, she finds it overwhelming, and similar to many individuals with autism, all she wants is a vacation from social interaction. Being in the booth or higher, away from the throng, is the ideal remedy during those moments.
“I can just play a full hour set and get people to feel things, and I don’t have to say a word.”
However, there are other occasions when, in her words, “you need to dance it off, which I know is a type of somatic therapy,” lights in your face, loud music, and focus are what you need.
As an adult, I received an ADHD diagnosis. I’m 45 years old, and I now understand how misunderstood this condition is. My ADHD diagnosis has finally allowed me to understand why I’ve felt distracted my entire life.
Online acceptance and understanding are being found by these Canadians with ADHD.
Despite the challenges of being in a dance club, Dee is not the only neurodivergent person who has caught the DJ bug.
Last year, the Association For Electronic Music in the U.S. decided to survey its members on the topic of neurodivergence in response to an increasing discourse among electronic musicians.
Less than half of the DJs who answered had a clinical diagnosis, but more than half claimed to have a neurodivergent condition.
